Умовы і вынікі ўзбагачэння беларускага сялянства ў другой палове ХІХ ст.
Conditions and results of enrichment of Belarusian peasants in the second half of the 19th century

Summary/Abstract: The socio-political and economic situation in Belarus in the second half of the 19thcentury was not conducive to the emergence of a wealthy class of peasants. The Russiantsarist reformed land reforms with diffi culty and did not care for the living standards ofthe peasants. It only took care to instill in the peasants a sense of loyalty to tsarism.Moreover, the Belarusian peasantry was treated as an element that would quicklybecome Russifi ed. In this situation, most of the peasants’ living standards deterioratedmore and more. Nevertheless, some peasants showed an interest in improving theirown welfare, and the peasants were stratifi ed as a result. Farmers, small traders, lowerlevel administration workers, teachers and entrepreneurs were recruited from themost enterprising peasants. It was among these people that the Belarusian nationalconsciousness was awakening. The process of shaping the Belarusian bourgeoisie,however, proceeded at a very slow pace. Only in the second half of the 19th centurythe foundations for the modern Belarusian nation were laid.

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